Latest news with #12thSpecialOlympicsWorldWinterGames2025
Observer
08-03-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Omani athletes set to shine at Turin Special Olympics World Winter Games
MUSCAT: Omani athletes are gearing up to compete in the 12th Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025, which began in Turin, Italy, from March 7 to 16. This prestigious event will see over 1,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities from 102 countries competing in eight winter sports, including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, dance, figure skating, snowshoeing and short-track speed skating. Oman is sending a strong contingent, comprising six athletes with intellectual disabilities and Down syndrome, along with six coaches, three administrators and a doctor. The delegation will compete in snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and short-track speed skating. The Oman's Teams for Turin 2025 are: Snowshoeing: Salem al Ghafri and Amira al Raisi (Coaches: Khamis al Muqbali and Dalal Ambusaidi) Cross-Country Skiing: Al Baraa al Battashi and Nabaa al Harthy (Coaches: Kamil al Lawati and Nima al Hashemi) Short Track Speed Skating: Hossam al Amri and Retaj al Salami (Coaches: Safwan al Balushi and Maryam al Dhamri) The Oman Special Olympics has been meticulously preparing its athletes through skill assessments, intensive training sessions and international coaching programmes. Chairman Mohammed bin Salem al Rashdi highlighted that the selection process involved specialised skill tests in winter sports, conducted by experienced coaches. Omani athletes seen preparing to compete in the 12th Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025 in Turin As part of their preparation, Omani coaches participated in an external training course in Egypt in November 2024, aimed at enhancing their expertise in snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Omani athletes trained at Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) Snow Centres across Oman and the UAE, joining teams from the UAE and Egypt in their preparations. A significant boost to the programme came with the launch of the Special Olympics UAE Snow Sport Team Development Strategy in October 2023, which outlined a four-stage roadmap (Outsourcing, Recognition, Team Formation and Continuity) to ensure long-term sustainability. This initiative led to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Majid Al Futtaim and Special Olympics UAE in January 2024 during the FIS World Snow Day celebrations. Inspired by the UAE's success, similar training programmes were adopted across MAF Snow Centres in Oman and Egypt, resulting in the formation of nine snow sport teams and one ice sport team. Oman has a history of strong performances in the Special Olympics World Winter Games: They won 4 Gold, 3 Silver, 3 Bronze in South Korea in 2013 and 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze in Austria in 2017. Omani athletes are ready to make their mark on the world stage, showcasing their skill, resilience and the spirit of inclusion in winter sports in Turin.
Arab Times
02-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait targets new milestones at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin
TURIN, March 2, (KUNA): The Kuwaiti Special Olympics delegation is set to participate in the 12th Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025, hosted in Turin, Italy, from March 8 to 15. The delegation has been preparing through several training camps to secure a national sporting achievement. Hana Al-Zawawi, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kuwaiti Special Olympics, shared with the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Sunday that the athletes' spirits are high, which serves as a major motivation to achieve top positions and further enhance the country's record in sporting achievements. Al-Zawawi emphasized that despite limited training facilities for winter sports in Kuwait, the delegation has worked diligently under the guidance of the Special Olympics technical and administrative staff to achieve optimal results. She noted that the athletes are determined to overcome challenges, particularly the cold weather and their lack of experience with snow. She expressed hope that the delegation would set a new milestone for Kuwaiti sports, particularly for athletes with intellectual disabilities. The delegation consists of three athletes and their parents, as well as the head of the delegation and a doctor, who will be involved in the health screening program for athletes during the Games, which is affiliated with Special Olympics. Khaled Al-Nasser, head of the delegation, stated to KUNA that Kuwaiti athletes will face stiff competition, especially since participants from other countries are more accustomed to winter sports and cold weather. However, he emphasized that the technical staff of Kuwaiti Special Olympics has made great strides in preparing the athletes to bring home a new achievement. Al-Nasser also highlighted that camps were held in Egypt and the UAE to help athletes acquire the necessary skills to face the challenges of the Games. The Kuwaiti athletes participating in the Games are Maryam Diab in snowboarding, and Hajar Al-Rashidi and Abdullah Al-Ali in snow running. Al-Nasser expressed hope that the team would secure strong placements, mirroring the success of Kuwaiti Special Olympics athletes who won 21 medals at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin (2023). Dr. Bibi Al-Amiri, a child and adolescent psychiatry consultant accompanying the delegation, spoke with KUNA about her pride in representing Kuwait in this global event, noting that the participation of athletes embodies determination and resilience. Dr. Al-Amiri highlighted her role in the health program, titled "Strong Minds," which focuses on the mental health of the athletes. She explained that the program will help create a comfortable environment for the athletes, especially considering their unfamiliarity with snow and cold temperatures. It also addresses the psychological pressures that come with competition and being away from home. In addition to mental health support, the health program includes eye and hearing exams, physical therapy, and dental care. Dr. Al-Amiri emphasized the importance of daily psychological support to ensure the well-being of the athletes and to help the Kuwaiti delegation achieve strong results. The 12th Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025 in Turin will be the largest sporting event for people with intellectual disabilities, with more than 1,500 athletes from 102 countries competing in eight winter sports, including mountain skiing, snowboarding, indoor soccer, and snow running, among others.
